Trees available for tornado re-leaf

Two hundred trees are available for planting this fall to Minneapolis residents located in the area recently affected by the tornado. Five varieties of trees are available: Triumph Elm, Autumn Splendor Buckeye, Valley Forge Elm, Ironwood and Blue Beech. The trees cost $25 each, and they are six to 10 feet tall with a one-inch trunk.

Minneapolis residents in the tornado area can order a tree from Tree Trust at
www.treetrust.org/orderhere or (651) 644-5800. Residents can order one tree per household, and trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Any trees remaining between Sept. 11 and Sept. 18 will be made available to residents throughout Minneapolis.

Trees can be picked up at the parking lot of the former Northrop School at 1611 46th St. E. in Minneapolis Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents must be available to pick up the tree at this time. Volunteers will be on hand to help load your new tree and complimentary bag of mulch in to your vehicle. The City is partnering with United Way Caring Connection to recruit volunteers to assist residents who need help planting their new tree.

These trees are for private yards; the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is developing a plan for boulevard tree replantings in the affected areas for the spring.

Since 2006, the City Trees program, which is funded by the City of Minneapolis, has provided a low-cost way for folks to help build the City's urban tree forest. The City Trees program is a partnership between the City of Minneapolis and Tree Trust, a local nonprofit that works to improve the community environment.

Research has proven that trees are a valuable investment and improve urban quality of life. Healthy trees increase property values, help improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide, save energy, keep the city cooler, provide homes for wildlife and help manage storm water.